LeonHarlinSiegel

Leon Harlin Siegel January 22, 1929 - September 6, 2013 Leon Harlin Siegel was born January 22, 1929 to Benjamin and Esther Siegel in Los Angeles. Lee graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1947, and from Los Angeles Community College in 1949. He was a Sea Scout and a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. In 1948, he married Betty Summer, his high school sweetheart. They moved to Bakersfield in 1949 where he joined her family business, Summer's Furniture Galleries, which they ran together until they both retired in 2008. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on August 22, 2013, in Morro Bay. During his lifetime, Lee was very involved in Scouting. He was a Cub Master, Scout Master, and Unit Commissioner. He was also a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society, where he was the Chapter Advisor, Lodge Advisor, and coach for the award-winning Yowlumne Lodge ceremony team. Upon nomination by his peers he was awarded the highest rank in that organization, the Vigil Honor. He was also recognized with the Award of Merit by the Meridian District, the Silver Beaver Award by the Southern Sierra Council, the Distinguished Commissioner Award, and the Wood Badge. Through his dedication to Scouting, he guided two of his grandsons through the program where they earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The three enjoyed several iconic Scouting experiences together, including a 50-mile canoe trip down the Colorado River, a week at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, and several Order of the Arrow conclaves. In addition, they were part of the Southern Sierra Council's delegation to the 1997 National Jamboree in Fort AP Hill, Virginia. He also currently has three great grandsons involved in Scouting, and was very proud of their progress. Beyond Scouts and family, Lee's passion was travel, and he and Betty frequently visited their favorite ports of call, most recently a 3-week trip to China, as well as road trips across the United States, most recently realizing a lifelong goal of visiting Mount Rushmore. Lee passed away on Friday, September 6, 2013, with his wife by his side. He was a devoted patriarch to his four children, eight grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Sam, and son Michael. He is survived by his wife Betty, children Sharon and Chuck Rhodes, David and Kathy Siegel, Cynthia and Bob Masters, grandchildren Dean Rhodes, Jamie Andrews, Bryan and Stefani Kunzmann, Kevin Rhodes, Holly Franco, Michael Varner, and Sky Siegel, and great grandchildren Adam and Patrick Porcho, Alex Luminarias, Preston and Gabriella Kunzmann, Vanessa Rhodes, Cecilia and Isaiah Franco, and Michael, Nikolaus, and Zackary Andrews. Per his request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lee's name to the Order of the Arrow Yowlumne Lodge 303 (c/o Southern Sierra Council, 2417 M St, Bakersfield, CA 93301), or the local SPCA (3000 Gibson Park, Bakersfield, CA 93308). www.bakersfield.com/obits

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